[SatNews] Recent deliveries of application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs) are getting Northrop Grumman Corporation's (NYSE:NOC) production of payloads for the U.S. Air Force's fifth and sixth Advanced Extremely High Frequency (AEHF) protected communication satellites off to a strong start.

More than 800 ASICs delivered by Honeywell Aerospace in Plymouth, Minnesota, and BAE Systems of Arlington, Virginia, bolster the building of electronic units that operate customized functions unique to AEHF payloads. Those capabilities, for example, include onboard signal processing and a highly sophisticated suite of 14 antennas that provides users with millions of options for countering adversaries' electronic, cyber and physical threats.

"Customized semiconductors are the main reason AEHF payloads are half the size and weight of previous-generation MILSTAR satellite payloads while providing 10 times the capacity," said Stuart Linsky, vice president, communication programs, Northrop Grumman Aerospace Systems. "Lighter payloads mean considerable savings in launch costs for the Air Force."

Northrop Grumman has delivered three AEHF payloads to system prime contractor Lockheed Martin Space Systems, Sunnyvale, Calif. The company is also building the fourth payload at its Redondo Beach facilities.

More than 13,000 integrated microwave assemblies and hybrids of 50 unique designs

Northrop Grumman Aerospace Systems has provided sophisticated and robust protected satellite communications payloads with increasing, highly secure connectivity to U.S. military forces for nearly 30 years. As the only company with this capability, Northrop Grumman delivers affordable, assured communications that help achieve information superiority.